The emergency and rescue authorities are tensely awaiting the stormy weather, including snowfall in high elevations, forecast for the coming days around Israel. As part of the preparations, Magen David Adom (MDA) today announced that IDF APCs would be placed in some of its stations in order to enable the organization's rescue services to provide medical treatment to those in need, even in areas made inaccessible to ordinary vehicles by heavy snow on roads and fallen trees and streetlights. The military vehicles are being deployed in MDA stations in the northern hills, Jerusalem, and parts of the central region where snow is expected. In addition, MDA will also deploy dozens of four-wheel drive ambulances in the coming days, while chains will be installed on the wheels of other vehicles in order to improve their mobility in places where snow accumulates.
Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy, and Water Silvan Shalom this morning held a special discussion with infrastructure and energy agencies in order to make sure they were ready for the storm. Shalom ordered Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) (TASE: ELEC.B22) to deploy generators in isolated communities, and also ordered IEC and the Israel Water Authority not to refuse service to debtors in the coming days.
IEC CEO Eli Glickman announced that the 103 emergency service centers would be fully manned, and that all the repair work teams in the field would be on full alert, while connections with the local authorities and other agencies would be tightened.
The Israel Police Traffic Department today announced that it would add more personnel in the coming days. The police called on the public to refrain from traveling on roads and in areas liable to suffer from floods. They added that traffic routes would be closed from time to time, as necessary, and that the general public would be briefed regularly.
Angel Solomon Ltd. (Angel Bakeries) (TASE: ANGL) in Jerusalem increased its production of hallah (special Sabbath bread), and said it would distribute it tomorrow morning, ahead of time, to supermarkets in the Jerusalem area and Safed. Angel warned that no bread would be distributed in these areas on Friday because of the stormy weather and expected snowfall.
The weather forecast is for continued local rain in the evening and night from the north to the northern Negev, with snow on Mt. Hermon. The storm is expected to hit at night, with strong winds and thunderstorms all over Israel. Temperatures are forecast to fall drastically during the night. Snow is expected to fall today in the northern Golan Heights and Galilee hills, and is forecast to spread to hills in the central region and Jerusalem towards evening, and possibly to accumulate. Haze is forecast for southern Israel, with possible flooding in vulnerable areas.
The storm will continue on Friday, with continued rain from northern Israel to the Negev. Snow will continue falling in the northern and central hills, including Jerusalem, and may also fall in the Negev hills. Flooding in vulnerable places is possible, and temperatures will be especially low. The weather will calm down only on Saturday, but occasional rain will continue throughout Israel. Snowfall will continue in the northern hills until noon, and may also fall in the central hills during the morning. Rain will ease off during the day, and stop on Saturday night.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 18, 2015
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